Entry level Assistant jobs

Salary: £12.60 per hour equivalent to a yearly salary of £24,570.00 per annum

Location: Sunderland Furniture Shop

Contract: Fixed term contract – September 2025 ending December 2025

Hours: 37.5 per week

Closing date: Thursday the 11th of September at 11:30pm

We’re looking for an enthusiastic individual to join us for as a seasonal worker at Shelter! This is a brand-new role as a Order Picker in our Sunderland Furniture shop. This is an exciting opportunity to join us at a key time of year helping to raise vital funds throughout our Autumn and Winter period for people who are homeless or badly housed.

About the role

As a seasonal order picker, you will play a vital part in ensuring our customers receive their orders accurately and efficiently on time during our busiest period. It will involve working as part of a small team, being responsible for picking and packing products, maintaining stock accuracy and supporting with the smooth flow of goods in and out of the operation.

The role will be fast paced working to accurately pick, pack and process customer orders in line with SLAs. It will involve working collaboratively with team members to meet targets and communicating any issues to the Order Picker Supervisor.

About you

To be successful in the role you will need to be comfortable working at a fast pace and ensuring to maintain a high level of accuracy in a dead-line driven environment. Also making sure to have strong attention to detail to make sure the orders are picked and packed correctly.

Being able to work well as part of a team is important to contribute towards a positive and efficient working environment and be confident to use basic IT systems and handheld devices to update stock and order records.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

How to apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement.

Please provide specific examples of how you meet the criteria in the 'About you' section of this advert, following the STAR format, and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below throughout your responses:

· We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything,

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

Beacon is now in its second decade and has grown substantially over the last three years, including a rebrand and expansion into international projects. To support this growth, we are seeking a highly organised, proactive, and intuitive Admin & Operations Officer to help ensure the smooth running of our daily activities and core functions.

This varied role spans many aspects of our work, from administration and resource management to supporting the systems and tools that keep Beacon working efficiently. You’ll work across the charity, supporting our executive leadership, projects teams, and fundraising activities, as well as and ensuring colleagues have the information and resources they need to deliver for our beneficiaries.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the day-to-day running of the charity and in supporting senior staff. As you settle into the role, you’ll have opportunities to develop skills in areas such as financial management, executive support, relationship management, stewardship, or project logistics, depending on your interests and the charity’s needs.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone at an early stage of their career, with full training and support provided. You’ll gain experience with a wide range of platforms and processes – from finance tools, databases, and information management – making it a great foundation for building broad, transferable skills in the charity sector. Where possible, you’ll also have the chance to get involved in other aspects of our work, offering valuable insight into how a small but ambitious organisation operates.

We also welcome applications from experienced administrators, operations professionals, or executive assistants. Such candidates may be appointed as Senior Operations Officer, with additional responsibilities and a higher salary.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Organisational administration

• Lead on day-to-day operational processes to ensure the efficient running of the organisation.
• Provide executive support to the CEO and COO, including diary coordination, scheduling, and meeting logistics.
• Oversee internal financial processes, including processing expenses and invoices, documenting charity income and outgoings, ensuring accurate record keeping, and liaising with our external accounting team.
• Coordinate team activities such as strategy days, team-building events, and the annual Christmas party.
• Support HR-related processes such as managing staff anniversaries, birthdays, departures, and basic record-keeping.
• Act as liaison between the CEO and Board of Trustees as required.
• Collaborate with building management to ensure smooth operation of office facilities.

Fundraising administration

• Provide administrative support for funding applications and reports, including document preparation and submission.
• Monitor timelines and deadlines for all fundraising-related commitments, ensuring requirements are met.
• Maintain accurate fundraising records, keeping donor and income information up to date in our systems.
• Liaise with fundraising partners, sponsors, and donors as required.

N.B. The fundraising aspect of this role is focused on providing administrative and logistical support. This is not a fundraising position, and applicants are not expected to be responsible for income generation.

Team-wide support

• Monitor and respond to incoming enquiries via phone, email, and the Contact Us form, ensuring timely and professional communication.
• Process and respond to volunteer applications, maintaining accurate records and liaising with applicants as required.
• Manage organisational resources, including internal supplies and external materials, monitoring stock levels and coordinating reorders.
• Provide office management support to ensure a well-functioning, well-resourced working environment.
• Organise team travel arrangements for internal and external events.

Occasional duties

• Provide support in the lead-up to major events with preparation of materials as required.
• Support on-the-day delivery of major events alongside other team members.
• Represent the charity at external events and exhibitions.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

This is an excellent opportunity for someone at an early stage of their career who is eager to learn and grow within a supportive team. We’re looking for a proactive and organised individual who can take ownership of their work, spot opportunities to improve processes, and contribute positively to all areas of the charity.

Essential

•   Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities, monitor timelines, and meet deadlines independently. 
•   Self-motivated and able to work proactively, showing initiative to identify needs, address issues, and make improvements to processes and systems.
•   Strong written communication and record-keeping, skills with the ability to convey information clearly and professionally. 
•   The ability to adapt your communication style to different audiences, such as colleagues, beneficiaries, trustees and donors. 
•   A proficient user of various IT systems, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher), G-Suite, and Zoom, with a willingness and aptitude to learn new platforms.
•   A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively across teams, coupled with the confidence to work independently and take ownership of tasks.
•   Flexible and resilient, with the ability to remain level-headed and resourceful in a fast-paced environment.
•   A commitment to Beacon’s mission and desire to represent the charity with professionalism and integrity. ​

Desirable

• Previous experience in an administrative, operations, or executive support role.
• Experience of working or volunteering in a charity or not-for-profit environment.
• Familiarity with fundraising administration, databases, or finance systems.
• Understanding of rare diseases, health charities, or small-organisation dynamics.

Experienced candidates

We welcome applications from candidates with proven experience in administration, operations, or executive support roles, who are interested in a Senior Admin & Operations Officer position.

For this level, we are looking for demonstrated competence in  managing complex administrative tasks, coordinating across teams, and supporting senior leadership with minimal supervision. Senior Admin & Operations Officers should be confident in taking initiative, driving improvements, and handling a broader range of responsibilities. 

WORKING AT BEACON

Beacon is a small, tight-knit team, with a friendly atmosphere and strong commitment to our beneficiaries. We aim to give all employees opportunities to pursue their interests, develop their skills, and shape their career path.

We offer flexible working practices to help our staff balance their personal and professional lives, including hybrid working and flexible hours. While our hybrid policy requires all staff to work in the office at least two days per week, the high level of cross-team collaboration, executive support responsibilities, and office management duties involved in the Operations Officer role mean that regular in-person attendance is particularly important.

After the initial in-person onboarding period, we’d like this role to be based in the office for around three days a week on average, though not necessarily every single week, to help maintain effective teamwork and smooth daily operations.

Salary is pro rata
About the role:  

We are looking for a very confident, outgoing go-getter who loves using their gregarious personality to influence and enthuse people to get results but also enjoys being organised with strong admin processes. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who has been involved in influencing organisations, businesses and groups or individuals to sign up to our range of challenge events, such as marathons etc. You will be a part of a small but dynamic marketing and fundraising team and working with another Events and Engagement Officer colleague (who works 2 days a week), you both will be focusing mainly on filling and retaining places for our challenge events. 

This is a critical role for generating essential funds for the charity. You will love a challenge and be goal orientated. It is a varied role, and you will be someone who loves to multitask; you may be emailing supporters or potential fundraisers, making action plans, promoting, contacting organisations, or attending and speaking at events. You will thrive in this role if you love being organised and doing admin, but love being “out and about” interacting, influencing and motivating people to sign up to participate in challenge events and fundraise for us. Please note that you will need to carry, load up and set-up event materials from our office to events, often on your own. It is essential you have access to transport and must have a full, clean driving licence. We are a very small team, so you will need to have the confidence and willingness to meet with organisations and attend events on your own. 

 
Please reflect that grit and resilience are required for this role given the remote/hybrid working, subject matter, fast-paced and flexible multi-tasking, and the need to be highly goal-oriented and results focused. If you have recently been affected by suicide, please consider carefully if this role would be right for you, as your welfare is the utmost priority, and our work may be triggering.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Recruit, retain and support participants for a wide range of fundraising challenge events, including marathons, cycling and overseas events 

• Support and steward existing fundraisers and supporters, helping them maximise their impact by generating income/ donations through our challenge events and events they organise to raise money 

• Create inspiring digital content and resources to empower and guide fundraisers and donors throughout their journey 

• Develop our fundraising hub to provide resources and information and encouragement to help participants 

• Represent Grassroots Suicide Prevention at events, delivering talks and building awareness to attract new donors, supporters and sign-ups to our challenge events 

• With support of our marketing team, create compelling content for multiple channels, including our website, blog, case studies, social media, and press releases, tailored to diverse audiences 

• Assist with multiple administrative tasks, such as inputting data into our CRM, check fundraising activities by participants on Just Giving and other activities ensure fundraising targets are being met and the smooth running and of our fundraising team and events 

• Be in commutable distance of Brighton, so you can come into the head office when required to send out merchandise, collect marketing collateral (including banners, posters, leaflets) to take to events. 

To be successful in this role, you must be responsive, extremely organised, have attention to detail, be able to meet deadlines, and passionate about seeing growth and progress in your work. You will be determind to exceed your KPIs such as recruitment of fundraisers who will reach their income targets.  You will be a dynamic, socially confident person, who excels at winning hearts and minds and thrives on tangible results.  

Essential criteria: 

• A full clean driving licence and access to suitable transport 

• Adept at all aspects of Microsoft Office 

• Experience of influencing people and organisations to come on board and fundraise 

• Experience of recruiting, motivating and managing volunteers 

• To have initiative and creative ideas that you can put into effective action  

• To be socially adept and enjoy persuading and influencing 

• To be an excellent verbal and written communicator 

• To be a confident negotiator and presenter 

• Evidence of being resilient

• A genuine passion for the Grassroots Suicide Prevention’s mission and values 

• To have a positive “can-do” attitude and a thirst to adapt to different tasks and challenges 

• Examples of working effectively from home and being out and about 

Bonus points for 

• Proven track record of running challenge events and recruiting participants 

• Basic skills of creating impactful and on-brand designs using Canva 

• Understanding of how small but busy charities, on low budgets work and the challenges they face 

• Understanding of aligning all your work to our brand 

• Evidence of successful presenting and networking

Why Grassroots Suicide Prevention 

GSP is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and workplace - a place where we can all be ourselves, and each have the equal opportunity to succeed and be recognised for our unique contribution. We value the experiences, skills and perspectives of all individuals and actively encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds. We make recruitment decisions based on applicants’ skills, experience, and knowledge, ensuring all applicants are treated fairly. 

Our employee benefits include: 

• Hybrid/Flexible working – we offer home working and need to travel to the office and attends events/ meetings in the region 

• Health Cash Plan and employee assistant programme offering – a contribution to the costs of everyday healthcare needs (dental, optical, wellbeing) and counselling support, plus legal and financial support 

• Learning and development opportunities

• A creative, caring and collaborative culture that makes a difference in improving mental health and preventing suicide in the communities we serve 

Applications only: Please send your CV and a covering letter giving examples of how your skills and experience fit the role, with examples of impact and success. Send to  ben @ prevent-suicide. org. ukWe will not consider applications sent in any other way. Please note that we are looking for a start ASAP, so the selection process begins immediately and will close when we fill the post. 

Grassroots Suicide Prevention is in a period of transition and development and the post holder should be aware that their Job Description may evolve to meet the future needs of the Charity.